Plans to route Ottawa's proposed light rail transit and tunnel system through the downtown core have some residents concerned about traffic and business disruption during construction.
“Public education is the biggest thing we can do at this point,” says Centretown Citizens’ Community Association president Shawn Menard.
“It’s important to find out what Centretown residents think of the project.,”
Public feedback is exactly what the project’s planners are looking for. The city held an open house on Feb. 26 that revealed LRT location, design and construction alternatives to the public.
Community input will help narrow down and finalize the design plans before a transit committee meeting in early May. A six-month environmental assessment will begin this summer.
Delcan, a consulting engineering firm, is heading the assessment project. Project manager David Hopper, a consultant from Delcan, said the open house had a good turnout, and that it helped them uncover some new perspectives.
“Things that come out are local issues that we aren’t necessarily fully aware of,” says Hopper.
At the open house, people voiced concern over the use of temporary bus routes during the construction period. They also wondered how vital buses will be maintained when the LRT is completed in 2018. Some people questioned if the system will be suitable for future generations’ needs. Ottawa residents want to make sure the system is planned to last, says Hopper.
“We need to make the right decisions now,” he says.
Hopper says he realizes residents are concerned about the challenges involved.
“Building this is going to be dirty, and it’s going to be messy,” he says. “It’s difficult to get through, but when it’s done it’s going to be amazing and we’re not going to regret it.”
The tunnel’s purpose is to reduce traffic congestion downtown, says Dennis Gratton, senior project manager with the City of Ottawa. He also says the LRT will bring Ottawa’s transit system into the future.
“The reason we’re doing this is to improve transit service for people in Ottawa,” he says.
The project is a significant investment: $830 million to construct the rail line, with $600 million towards the tunnel portion alone. With trains and other equipment included, the project’s cost will reach about $1.3 billion, says Gratton.
Planners expect some funding from the provincial and federal governments, but Hopper says it’s too early to tell exactly where the money will come from. There have been recent concerns that funding for the LRT project will be weighed against investment in a new sports stadium, but Hopper says he isn’t worried about this.
“I think our project will be looked at on its own merits in terms of serving the city,” he says. “I’m confident we will be able to reason with the senior levels of government to make this project happen.”
The tunnel will run through the downtown core starting near LeBreton station just east of Booth Street, until Campus station at the University of Ottawa. It will be built somewhere between Slater and Sparks streets, with tunnel stations at Lyon and O’Connor streets and the Rideau Centre. The O-Train will connect with the new system at Bayview station.
Questionnaires distributed at the open house can be submitted by Friday, March 13. Comments can also be forwarded to the city at the website: ottawa.ca/tunnel.